A glass floor is a walkable floor panel built from load-bearing laminated safety glass, allowing daylight to reach the spaces below. The glass rests on a surround or supporting structure of steel, timber or concrete.
Application
A walkable floor always uses laminated glass: several glass panes with interlayers of film (PVB) that hold the fragments together on breakage. This lets the floor keep carrying load for a time after a pane breaks. Applications:
- Voids and stairs — to bring daylight to lower floors.
- Shops and museums — as a striking architectural element or to display objects below.
- Walkways and viewpoints — with a transparent view downward.
The design must consider not only static load (people, furniture) but also impact load and the residual load capacity after breakage. The top surface usually gets an anti-slip treatment. Regular inspection for scratches and edge damage is important.
Related terms
- Glazing
- Glass
- Glass block
- Light transmission
- Void
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